Combination lock



p 1955 F. M. KINcAID, JR 2,718,777

' COMBINATION LOCK Filed July 9; 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

FRANK M. K/NCAID JR.

BYZO/%AIKZVZM Sept, 27, 1955 4F. M. KINCAID, JR

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q a INVENTOR FRANK M. K/NCAID JR.

l BY 70 z:, A.

Filed July 9, I951 F. M. KINCAID, JR

Se t. 27, 1955 COMBINATION LOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 9, 1951 INVENTOR.

FRANK M. KINCfl/D l/R. A w

Sept. 27, 1955 F, M. KINcAID, JR

COMBINATION LOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9 1951 :0 Fly INVENTOR. FRANK M. KING/VD JR.

FQM. KINCAID, JR

Sept. 27, 1955 COMBINATION LOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1951 INVEN TOR. FRA NK M. KINCfl/D JR. 7 A w Patented Sept. 27, 1955' COMBINATION LOCK Frank M. Kincaid, Jr., Mountain Lakes, N. J.

Application July 9, 1951, Serial No. 235,733

14 Claims. (Cl. 7 -305) This invention relates to locks and is particularly directed to combination-type locks.

An object of the invention comprises the provision of a relatively simple combination-type lock which can be opened in no more than single turn of the control knob and yet notwithstanding this simplicity a large number of theoretical combinations are possible and the lock is substantially manipulation proof against persons who do not know the combination. In accordance with the invention the lock comprises a plurality of tumblers each having its own driving connection with the control knob and the lock includes means for selectively interrupting said connections. A further object'of the invention comprises the provision of a novel and simple combination-type lock which can readily be operated in the dark.

Several specific combination-type lock constructions embodying the invention are herein illustrated and described. Certain of these locks embody the additional feature in that a positive or interlocking driving connection is provided between each tumbler and the rotatable combination-setting knob of the lock and in addition each tumbler when set to its lock unlocking position is positively held in this position while the other tumblers are being so set.

Other objects of the invention willbecome apparent upon reading the following description in connection with the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a lock embodying the invention with the lock in its locked condition;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the lock of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but with the lock in its unlocked condition;

Fig. 4 is an end view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken along lines 5-5, 6-6, 7-7 and 8-8 respectively of Fig. 1;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views of portions of the lock of Fig. 1 and illustrating steps in the unlocking operation;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view through a modified lock construction embodying the invention and illustrating the lock in its locked condition;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 12 but illustrating the lock in its unlocked condition;

Figs. 14 and 15 are end views taken along lines 14-14 and 15-15 of Figs. 12 and 13 respectively;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16--16 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 18 and illustrating another modified lock construction embodying the invention;

Fig. 18 is an end view of Fig. 17; v

Figs. 19, and 21 are sectional views taken along lines 19-19, 20-20 and 21-21 respectively of Fig. 17;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 23 is an end view of one of the tumblers in the lock of Fig. 17;

Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27 are sectional views taken along lines 24-24, 25-25, 26-26 and 27-27 respectively of Fig. 23;

Fig. 28 is an enlarged view of a tumbler clutch member as seen in Fig. 23;

Fig. 29 is an end view of Fig. 28; and

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but illustrating the tumblers in position for changing their combination.

Referring first to Figs. 1-8 of the drawing, a lock 10 is arranged to lock a member 12 against sliding movehowever the lock is in no way limited to such use.

The lock 10 comprises a hollow control knob 16.

The rear portion of the control knob 16 is counterbored to form a chamber 20 and an inwardly facing shoulder 22 on said knob. A latch bolt has a first cylindrical portion 24 co-axially slidable through the bore at the forward end of the control knob 16, said latch bolt portion 24 projecting forwardly from said knob in its unlocked condition (Fig. 3). The latch bolt also includes asecond cylindrical portion 26 of smaller diameter and eccentric to said first portion 24, said second latch bolt POI"? tion 26 projecting from the rear of the control knob into a bore extending through the slide member 12. The.

boss 19 is provided with a groove 28 along and within which the latch bolt portion 26 is slidably fitted. The cross-section of the groove 28 is only slightly more than a semi-circle so that the latch portion projects laterally from the boss 19 (see Figs. 6, 7 and 8). In this locked condition of the lock (Fig. 1), the latch portion 26 pro.

. jects through the slide member 12 into arecess in the body member 14 to prevent or lock the member 12 against sliding movement along the member 14.

A spring 30 urges the latch bolt 24, 26 forwardly (to the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3) to its retracted or unlocked position. In addition the latch bolt portion 26 has three axially spaced notches 34, 36 and 38 formed adjacent the latchbolt portion 24 and along that side of its periphery projecting from the boss 19. Three tumblers 42, 44 and 46 are disposed within the chamber 20 and are journaled on the boss 19. In the locked condition of the lock, the tumblers 42, 44 and 46 pass through the latch bolt notches 34, 36 and 38, respectively, thereby preventing unlocking movement of the latch bolt. The shoulder 22 also prevents unlocking movement of the latch bolt by engagement with the for-- ward end of the latch bolt portion 26. A plurality of washers 48 are also fitted about the boss 19, there being one washer 48 between each pair of adjacent tumblers and a washer 48 between the tumbler 46 and the shoulder 22 of the rotatable knob 16. Each washer 48 has a notch 50 fitted about the projecting side of the latch bolt portion 26 thereby preventing rotation of said washers about the boss 19. A Wave spring 52 behind the rear tumbler 42 serves to press the washers 48 and tumblers 42, 44 and 46 together and against the knob shoulder 22, whereby the washers 48 frictionally restrain the tumbler 42, 44 and 46 against rotation and said tumblers are located axially.

The tumblers, 42, 44 and 46 have slots or gates 60, 58 and 56, respectively, which are adapted to be alined with the latch bolt portion 26. In addition the knob 16 has a groove 61 extending forwardly from the shoulder 22 and adapted to be alined with latch bolt portion 26. When the tumbler slots 56, 5S and 60 and the knob groove 61 are all alined with the latch bolt portion 26, the spring 30 is effective to move the latch bolt forwardly to its unlocked position (Fig. 3). Thus the part of the latch bolt portion 26 adjacent to its part 24 and including its notches 34, 36 and 38 constitutes a fence which prevents retraction of the latch bolt 24, 26 unless the tumblers 42, 44 and 46 and the lock knob 16 are set in predetermined positions.

, In order to provide for rotation of the tumblers 42, 44 and 46 by the control knob, said tumblers are provided with radially extending lugs 62, 64 and 66 respectively, said tumblers being identical except for differences in the relative positions of their respective notches and lugs depending on the lock combination. In addition, a lever 68 is journaled within the knob 16, said lever having a handle portion 70 projecting radially from the axis of said lever over the front face of said knob so as to indicate the rotative position of the lever 68. The rear end of the lever 68 comprises three semicircular portions 72, 74 and 76 displaced 90 relative to each other as illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. In addition the lever 68 has a square portion 78 engaged by a detent 80 slidable in a bore within the knob 16 and pressed into engagement with said square portion by a spring 82 whereby said lever can readily be set in any one of four positions disposed 90 relative to each other. The sides of the lever square portion 78 are so oriented relative to said lever semi'cylindrical portions 72, 74 and 76 that in each of said four lever portions the flat sides of said semi-cylindrical portions are either radial relative to the control knob axis or are at right angles to said radial direction. The semi-cylindrical lever portions 72, 74 and 76 are alined with the tumbler lugs 62, 64 and 66, respectively, and upon rotation of the control knob each said portion is arranged to abut and rotate its associated tumbler lug except when the fiat side of said portion faces radially inwardly relative to the control knob axis.

A second detent 84 is slidable within a bore in the knob 16 and a spring 86 urges said detent rearwardly into engagement with the adjacent face of the slide member 12. The slide member 12 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 88 engageable by the detent 84 whereby the knob 16 can readily be rotated in steps or increments which the operator can readily feel and count as he rotates said knob. Each such step corresponds to movement of the knob detent 84 from one notch 88 to an adjacent notch. The notches 88 are equally spaced except for a short dead or blank space 90 of no notches defining a starting point for the knob.

The lock can be opened with either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the control knob. Using clockwise rotation and with the lock in its locked condition, the lock may be opened as follows: With the control knob lever handle 70 directed radially inwardly the control knob 16 is first given at least one complete turn in a clockwise direction, said knob being brought to rest with the detent 84 in the dead zone 90. This is the starting position of the control knob from which said knob is manipulated in accordance with the combination of the particular lock so as to unlock said lock. The operator can readily feel this starting position of the control knob because of the absence of the equallyspaced notches 88 in said dead zone. Said rotation of the knob 16 brings all the semi-cylindrical portions 72, 74 and 76 of the knob lever 68 into engagement with their respective tumbler lugs 62, 64 and 66. The lock 10 is now in the condition illustrated in Fig. 1. With the tumblers having the relative slot and lug positions illustrated, the slot 60 of the tumbler 42 is closest to the latch bolt portion 26 and the slot 56 of the tumbler 46 is farthest from said latchbolt portion as measured in 4 a rotative clockwise direction from said slots. The knob 16 is then rotated clockwise a predetermined number of increments or steps, as measured by the detent 84 and notches 88, so as to bring the slot of the tumbler 42 in alinement with the latch bolt portion 26. This knob rotation also moves the slots 56 and 58 of the tumblers 46 and 44 closer to the latch bolt portion 26. The knob lever 68 is now given a 90 clockwise turn whereupon the semi-cylindrical lever portion 72 is rotated to a position in which its flat side faces radially inwardly so as to clear its associated tumbler lug 66 upon subsequent further clockwise rotation of the control knob 16. The relative positions of the tumbler 42, latch bolt portion 26, semi-cylindrical lever portion 72 and the lever handle 70, at this time, are illustrated in Fig. 9. The knob 16 is then rotated clockwise a second predetermined number of said steps so as to bring the slot 58 of the tumbler 44 in alinement with the latch bolt portion 26, at the same time the slot 56 of the tumbler 42 is brought closer to said latch bolt portion. During this latter control knob rotation, the tumbler 42 remains stationary with its slot 60 in alinement with the latch bolt portion 26, the frictional engagement of said tumbler 42 with the adjacent washers 48 maintaining said tumbler in this position. The knob lever 68 is now given its second 90 clockwise turn whereupon the semi-cylindrical lever portion 74 is rotated to a position in which its flat side faces radially inwardly so as to clear its associated tumbler lug 64 upon further rotation of the control knob. The relative positions of the tumbler 44, latch bolt portion 26, semi-cylindrical lever portion 74 and the lever handle 70, at this time, are illustrated in Fig. 10. The knob 16 is then rotated clockwise a third predetermined number of said steps so as to bring the slot 56 of the tumbler 46 in alinement with the latch bolt portion 26, the tumblers 42 and 44 remaining stationary during this latter rotation primarily becaues of their frictional engagement with the adjacent stationary washers 48. The slots 56, 58 and 60 of the tumblers are now in alinement with latch bolt portion 26 but because the forward end of the latch bolt portion 26 is still in engagement with the knob shoulder 22 the spring 30 is still unable to move the latch bolt forwardly to its unlocked position. The knob lever 68 is now given its third 90 clockwise turn whereupon the semi-cylindrical lever portion 76 is rotated to a position in which its flat side faces radially inwardly so as to clear its associated tumbler lug 66 upon further clockwise rotation of the control knob 16. The relative positions of the tumbler 46, latch bolt portion 26, semi-cylindrical lever portion 76 and the lever handle 70, at this time, are illustrated in Fig. 11.

The knob 16 is now rotated clockwise a fourth nurnber of steps as measured by the detent 84 and notches 88 so as to bring the knob groove 61 in alinement with the latch bolt portion 26 whereupon the latch bolt is immediately snapped forwardly by the spring 30 to its unlocked position of Fig. 3. In its position of Fig. 3,

v the lever 68 has been given a fourth 90 clockwise turn to return its handle 78 to its initial radial position. The design may be such that the knob 16 has now been rotated back to its said starting position in which the detent 84 is in engagement with the blank space 88. With such an arrangement, however, the co-action between the latch bolt portion 26 and the knob groove 61 as the knob 16 is rotated and the detent 84 is in engagement with the blank space 90, may produce a feeling similar to that produced by the detent 84 and a notch This would make it difficult for the operator to feel said starting position. To avoid this ditficulty the design preferably is such that the knob groove 61 is brought into alinement with latch bolt portion 26 just before the detent 84 reaches the blank space 90, for example when the detent engages the last or next to last notch 88 short of the blank space 90, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The unlocking operation may be summarized as follows: After the knob 16 has been rotated at least one revolution so as to pick up all the tumblers and said knob is moved to its starting position, the knob is rotated a first predetermined extent to bring one tumbler to its unlocked position and then the knob lever 68 is operated to interrupt the driving connection of said one tumbler with the knob. The knob 16 is then rotated in the same direction a second predetermined extent to bring a second tumbler to its unlocked position after which the knob lever 68 is operated to interrupt the driving connection of this second tumbler with the knob. This knob and lever operation is repeated until all the tumblers have been moved to their unlocked position and disconnected from the knob after which the knob is rotated to aline its groove 61 with the latch bolt portion 26 thereby completing the unlocking operation within no more than one revolution of the knob 16.

To re-lock the lock 10, the latch bolt 24, 26 is pushed inwardly against the spring 30 until the latch bolt portion 24 bottoms against the boss 19 whereupon the latch bolt notches 34, 36 and 38 are re-aligned with the tumblers 42, 44 and 46 respectively. With the latch bolt held in this position, the control knob 16 is rotated thereby' moving at least some of the tumblers into said latch bolt notches. Preferably the control knob lever handle 70 is directed radially inwardly during said control knob rotation and said knob is rotated at least one revolution whereby all the tumblers are rotated into their respective latch bolt notches 34, 36 and 38.

It should be apparent that the structure of the lock makes possible a great many theoretical combinations. Thus not only may the relative spacing of the driving lugs and slots or gates of each tumbler be varied from lock to lock but the sequence with which the tumblers are moved to their unlocked positions can. also be varied from lock to lock. Obviously any change in this sequence requires a change in the relative positions of the semi-cylindrical portions of the knob lever 68 and/ or in the manner in which said lever is operated. It should also be noted that the operator can not feel when a tumbler has been moved to its unlocked position because the latch bolt portion 26 rides on the shoulder 22 during the unlocking operation. These factors help make the lock substantially manipulation proof against persons unfamiliar with the combination.

In the lock 11) of Figs. l-l l, the tumblers are only frictionally held in the positions at which they are set by the rotatable knob. With such an arrangement one or more of the tumblers may inadvertently move out of their set positions before the lock is opened, for example as a result of vibration. Figs. l2-l6 illustrate a modified lock construction in which the tumblers are positively held in their set positions. In addition in the lock of Figs. 12-16 when the knob is rotated to set a tumbler a positive driving connection is provided between said knob and tumbler such that the knob can rotate the tumbler in either direction by rotation of the knob in the appropriate direction. Such a driving connection is herein termed a two-way driving connection.

In Figs. 12-16 a lock 110 is provided for locking a spindle 112 of a conventional door latch (not shown) against rotation relative to a member 113 rigid with the door. The details of said door latch may be similar to any conventional spindle operated door latch and form no part of the present invention. The lock 110 has a control knob 114 which in the unlocked condition of the lock is keyed to said door latch spindle 112 while, when the lock 119 is locked, the door latch spindle 112 is keyed against rotation to the door and the lock control knob 114 is free of the door latch spindle 112 to permit rotation of said knob for setting the lock combination to unlock the lock. Accordingly the rotatable knob 114 not only functions as the rotatable member for setting the lock combination to unlock the lock but after unlock- 6 ing the lock said knob also functions as the door knob for rotating the door latch spindle to unlatch the door. It will be apparent however that the lock 110 is in no Way limited to this specific use.

The rear of the knob 114 has a bore 116 into which the spindle 112 extends, said spindle being retained against axial movement relative to the door member 113 by means not shown. The knob is counterbored to provide space for a plurality of co-axial annular tumblers disposed within the knob and about the spindle, three tumblers 118, 120 and 122 being illustrated. In addition a ring 124 is disposed between the tumblers and the adjacent end of the door member 113. A pin 128 projects into a radial bore through the ring 124 and into a recess in the spindle 112 to lock said ring and spindle together against relative rotation. The knob 114 is ro tatably carried by the door 113 and is retained thereon by a split ring 129 extending into a groove in said knob and extending between the door 113 and the ring 124.

The radial bore in the ring 124 into which the pin 128 projects also has a detent 130 slidably received at its outer end, a spring 132 being disposed in compression between said pin and detent. The detent 130 is engageable with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced notches 134 in the control knob. By means of the spring-pressed detent 130 and notches 134 the operator can rotate the knob 114 any predetermined number of steps or increments by feel, each step being measured by the angular spacing of a pair of adjacent notches 134. The notches 134 are equally spaced except for a blank space 136 formed by the omission of one or two notches, said blank space defining an initial or starting position of the knob 114 from which the operator sets the combination by rotating the knob 114.

The internal bore of the knob 114 has a slot 138 and the tumblers 118, 120 and 122 have slots 140, 142 and 144 respectively. The slots 138, 140, 142 and 144 are arranged to be alined with a member 146 (as in Fig. 13) for unlocking the lock. The member 146 has an elongate and flat shape and is disposed within a narrow slot 148 within the spindle 112, said member 146 extending into the knob 114 and having a radially outwardly directed flange 150 adjacent to its knob end. The spindle slot 148 has a depth approximately equal to the corresponding dimension of the member 146 at its inner end, said slot increasing in depth toward its knob end to permit the member 146 to tilt in said slot about its inner end. A bolt 152 is also carried by the spindle 112 and a spring 154 urges the bolt 152 against the member 146 to urge the flange 150 of said member radially outwardly from the spindle slot 148. The bolt 152 also has a portion itilgpted to project into a recess 156 in the door member When any one of the tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the knob slot 138 are out of alinement with the flange 150 of the member 146 (Fig. 12), outward movement of said member is prevented and said member holds the bolt 152 in the recess 156 to lock the spindle 112 against rotation relative to the door member 113. When, however, the tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the knob slot 138 are all in alinement with the flange 150 of the member 146 (Fig. 13) then the spring 154 tilts said member 146 radially outwardly to move its flange 150 into said notches and at the same time the spring 154 moves the bolt 152 out of the recess 156 to unlock the lock by freeing the spindle 112. Thus the flange 150 constitutes a fence Which prevents unlocking movement of the bolt 152 except when the tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the knob slot 138 are alined with said flange or fence 150. In this unlocked condition the spindle 112 is free for rotation relative to the door member 113 and the knob 114 is drivably connected to the spindle 112 through the fit between the member 146 and the slot 138 whereupon the knob 114 can be rotated to turn the spindle 112 to unlatch the door member 113.

The knob 114 has a button 158 which is freely slidable Within a bore in said knob, said bore extending radially through the control knob and intersecting its bore 116 at the slot 138. The button 158 is arranged to engage the fence or flange 150 so that said button can be depressed to move the member 146 against the bolt 152 and the spring 154 so as to move the latch bolt flange 151) out from the tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the control knob slot 138. The button 158 is provided with a lug 159 atits inner end to keep said button from falling out.

In order to provide for setting the tumblers 118, 120 and 122 for locking and unlocking the lock, each of said tumblers is provided with a tumbler driving pin 160 slid able in a bore extending radially through said tumbler. The control knob 114 is provided with a plurality of recesses 162, there being one such recess for each pin 160. In addition the spindle 112 has a plurality of circumferentially-spaced axially-extending grooves 164, the angular spacing of said grooves being equal to the equal angular spacing of the notches 134 with the latch bolt slot 148 replacing one of the grooves 164. Each pin 160 is longer than the radial width of its associated tumbler so that said pin must project from said tumbler either radially outwardly into its associated knob recess 162 (Fig. 14) or radially inwardly into one of the spindle grooves 164 (Fig. 15). Each tumbler pin 16%) has a spring 166 urging it radially outwardly. The knob 114 also has a plurality of buttons 168, one for and slidably received within each recess 162. Each button 168 is provided with a spring 170 urging said button radially outwardly against a shoulder 172 rigidly carried by the knob 114 and each button 168 is adapted to be pushed radially inwardly against its spring for pushing its associated pin 160 into a spindle groove 164.

Assuming now that the lock 110 is locked (Fig. 12), the control knob 114 is free to rotate relative to the spindle 112 and said spindle is locked to the door member 113 by the bolt 152. At this time one or more of the tumbler pins 160 may be projecting into a spindle groove 164. Upon rotation of the knob 114, however, said pins 160 will successively become alined with their associated knob recesses 162 and upon such alinement of a pin 160 its spring 166 will snap said pin into its associated recess 162 with the result that said pin drivably connects its associated tumbler 11s, 1241 or 122 to said control knob. Thus, within one revolution of the control knob 114, in either direction, all of said tumblers will become drivably connected to the control knob 114 by their respective pins 160 projecting into their associated knob recesses 162. At this point it should be noted that with the specific relative disposition of the tumbler slots and their respective pins 168 illustrated and assuming clockwise rotation, the tumbler slot 149 is closest to and the tumbler slot 144 is farthest removed from the fence 150.

To unlock the lock 11! the control knob 114 is first given one complete revolution to make sure that all the tumblers 118, 126 and 122 are drivably connected to said knob and said knob is brought to rest with the detent 130 engaging the blank space 136. The control knob 114 is now at its starting position from which said knob is manipulated to unlock the lock. The knob 114 is then rotated clockwise a predetermined number of increments or steps, as measured by the detent 130 and notches 134, so as to bring the slot 140 of the tumbler 118 into alinement with the fence 150. Then the knob button 168 associated with the tumbler 118 is depressed to push the associated tumbler pin 160 against its spring 166 into a spindle groove 164 thereby disconnecting or interrupting the driving connection provided by said pin 160 between the tumbler 118 and the knob 114 and at the same time locking said tumbler to the spindle 112. The other tumblers 120 and 122 remain drivably connected to the knob 114. While the button 168 associated with the tumbler 118 is at least temporarily held in its depressed '8 position,-the knob 114 is rotated clockwise a second predetermined number of said increments or steps to bring the slot 142 of the tumbler 120 into alinement with the fence 150, said tumbler slot being next closest to said fence. As soon as the control knob 114 has been rotated sufiiciently so that the pin 160 of the tumbler 118 is no longer in alinement with a knob recess 162 then the depressed button 168 can be released because the internal counterbore of the knob 114 will then hold said pin 160 in a spindle groove 164. After this second rotative setting of the control knob 114 has been completed, the knob button 168 associated with the tumbler 121 is depressed thereby pushing its pin 160 into a spindle groove 164 to disconnect said tumbler 120 from the control knob and lock said tumbler to the spindle 112. While this latter button 168 is at least temporarily held depressed, the control knob 114 is rotated clockwise a third predetermined number of said increments or steps to bring the slot 144 of the tumbler 122 also into alinement with the fence 150. The knob button 168 associated with the tumbler 122 is now depressed thereby pushing its pin 160 into a spindle groove 164 to disconnect said tumbler from the control knob 114 and. lock .said tumbler to the spindle. While this latter button is at least initially held depressed the control knob is rotated to complete slightly less than one revolution from its starting position to bring the detent in engagement with a notch 134 just short of the blank space 136. This brings the knob slot 138 also into alinement with fence whereupon the spring 154 through the bolt 152 moves the fence 156 into the alined tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the knob slot 138 while the bolt 152 moves out of the door member recess 156 thereby unlocking the lock (Fig. 13). The spindle 112 is now free of the door member 113 and the knob 114 is connected to the spindle 112 because the fence 150 of the member 146 extends into the knob slot 138. Accordingly the knob 114 can be rotated to rotate the spindle so as to unlatch the door.

It should be noted that as in the case of the lock 10, the last rotative setting of the knob 114 does not quite complete one revolution from its starting position, in order that the knob slot 138 is not in alinement with the latch bolt 146 when the detent 130 is in engagement with the blank space 136 whereby alinement of said knob notch and latch bolt cannot interfere with the operator feeling said blank space 136.

When the member 146 moves to its unlocked position, said member pushes the button 158 to its extended position (Fig. 13). in order to relock the lock the button 158 is depressed thereby moving the fence 150 of the member 146 out of the tumbler slots 140, 142 and 144 and the knob slot 138. This movement of the member 146 forces the bolt 152 into the door member recess 156 to relock the spindle 112 to the door member 113. With the button 158 at least initially depressed, the knob 114 is spun at least one revolution to scramble the tumblers thereby completing the relocking operation.

The bore 116 of the knob 114 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the tumblers so that the fence 150 of the member 146 rides on said bore as the knob 114 is being rotated to unlock the lock. As a result the operator can not feel When a tumbler notch is brought into alinement with the fence 150. The edges of the slot 138 are beveled as indicated at 173 so that with the lock in the condition of Figs. 12 and 14, the fence 151) readily rides out of said slot 138 as the knob 114 is rotated. It should now be apparent that the lock 110 retains all the advantages of the lock 10 and in addition each tumbler is positively held in its set position while the other tumblers are being set and positive driving connections are provided between the control knob and the tumblers when said knob is rotated to set the tumblers.

' In each of the combination-type locks 19 and 110 described, the lock includes a plurality of tumblers and operator or knob of the lock, said knob being rotatable for setting the tumblers. In t ddition in each of the locks 10 and 110 the rotatable operator or knob carries means movable relative thereto for selectively interrupting the driving connections of the tumblers with said operator or knob. Thus in the lock it), the lever 68 is pivotally journaled in the lock knob 16, said lever being movable to any one of a plurality of positions for selectively controlling the driving connections of the tumblers with the lock knob 16. In the lock 110, a plurality of depressible buttons 168 are mounted on the lock knob 114 for selectively controlling the driving connections of the tumblers with said knob. Other means may be provided on the rotatable lock knob or operator for selectively interrupting said tumbler driving connections and in addition the knob itself may be movable for this purpose independently of its rotation. Such a lock construction is illustrated in Figs. 17-30 in which'the rotatable knob or operator of the lock is axially movable to any one of a plurality of' positions for selectively controlling the driving connection of each tumbler with said knob or operator.

In Figs. 17-30 a lock 210 comprises a housing formed by members 212 and 214 secured together, as by screws 216, and secured to a door member 218. The lock 210 includes a latch bolt 220 slidably into a recess within a fixed, or door frame, member 222 for locking the door in its closed position. A guideway 223 is formed in the housing members and along which the latch bolt 220 is slidable between its extended and retracted positions. A crank disc 224 is journaled in the housing member 212 and a link 226 is pivotally connected at its ends to said crank disc 224 and the latch bolt 220 so that the latch bolt can be extended and retracted by rotation of the crank disc. The crank disc 224 has a central serrated opening 227 adapted to receive the end of a hexagonal shaft 228 for providing a driving connection between said shaft and crank disc. The shaft 228 extends through the housing member 214 and through the door member 218 and a knob 230 is secured to the projecting endof said shaft. The housing member 214 has a hollow cylindrical portion 232 which projects through the door member 218 co-axially about the shaft 228. The knob 230 has a sleeve 234 projecting into the cylindrical housing portion, said sleeve and housing portion having flanges 236 and 238 respectively for limiting the extent to which the shaft 228 can be withdrawn from the lock.

The latch bolt 220 has a tongue 240 extending radially inwardly toward the axis of the shaft 228. The housing member 212 has a central bore 239 co -axial with the shaft 228 and into which the tongue 240 projects when the latch bolt is retracted to its unlocked position. A plurality of co-axial annular tumblers are disposed in side-by-side relation within the bore 239'. Three tumblers 241, 242 and 243 are illustrated and each tumbler has a slot 244 extending radially inwardly from its p'e riphery and adapted to receive the latch bolt tongue 240 upon retraction of said latch bolt whereby said latch bolt can be retracted only upon alinement of all of the tumbler slots 244 with the tongue 240. Thus the tongue 240 constitutes a fence with which the tumbler slots 244 must be alined before the latch belt 220 can be withdrawn.

As best seen in Figs. 23-29, each tumbler comprises parts relatively rotatable for changing the lock combination. This feature is hereafter fully described. For the present however each tumbler 241, 242 and 243 may be considered to be a rigid annular disc having a slot 244 extending inwardly from its periphery and having a radially slidable pin 246 extending therethrough. Each tumbler pin 246 is urged radially inwardly by a pair of springs 248. In addition each pin 246 is slightly longer than the radial width of its tumbler between its inner and outer peripheries. Each tumbler also has a plurality' of equally spaced notches 250 about its outer periph cry with the tumbler slot 244 replacing one of said notches. A plurality of axially-extending circumferentially-spaced grooves 252 are formed in the cylindrical Wall of the bore 239 and into which the tumbler pins 246 are arranged to project, the grooves 252 having an angular spacing equal to the angular spacing of the tumbler notches 250.

The tumblers 241, 242 and 243 are disposed in sidebyside relation about a first sleeve member 254 which has one end journaled in the crank disc 224 and has its other end journaled in the hollow housing extension 232. The sleeve member 254 has an axially-extending slot 256 into which the tumbler pins 246 are adapted to project. A second or inner sleeve member 258 is slidably fitted within the sleeve member 254 for relative axial movement. The second sleeve member 258 has a lug 260 projecting radially outwardly into the slot 256 to drivably connect the sleeve members 254 and 258 for joint rotation, said lug being V-shaped in axial section (Fig. 17). The second sleeve member 258 has an inturned flange 262 at its axially outer end anda pair of washers 264 and 266 are urged into frictional engagement with opposite ends of said flange 262 by springs 268 and 270 respectively, the remote ends of said springs being anchored to the shaft 228. Each washer 264 and 266 has a hexagonal inner periphery to fit the shaft 228 whereby said washers provide a friction driving connection between the shaft 228 and the sleeve member 258. Said friction driving connection is provided in order that the maximum torque which can be transmitted from the shaft 228 through said connection is incapable of causing any damage to the lock.

An annular plate 272 is also disposed about the sleeve 254 in a bore within the housing member 214. The plate 272 has a lug 273 extending into an enlarged width portion of the slot 256 to drivably connect said plate and sleeve 254. In addition the plate 272 has a spring pressed detent 274 extending through said lug and against the inner sleeve 258. A plurality of circumferentially spaced notches 276 are provided around the outer periphery of the plate 272, said notches having an equal angular spacing except for a relatively long space 278, said equal angular spacing being equal to that of the housing grooves 252. A spring pressed detent 280 is carried by the housing member 214 and is adapted to engage the notches 276 sequentially as the plate 272 is rotated by the knob 230. Thus the notches 27 6 and detent 280 permit the operator, by feel, to rotate the knob any predetermined number of steps or increments, each said step or increment being measured by the angular spacing of a pair of adjacent notches 276.

The knob or operator 230, together with its shaft 228 and sleeve 258 is not only rotatable but also axially movable. The spring pressed 'detent 274 carried by the plate 272 is sequentially engageable with axially spaced notches 282 in the sleeve 258 to determine a plurality of axial positions of said sleeve and knob 230 and to permit the operator to feel axial movement of said sleeve and knob from one notch 282 to the next. A cross pin 284 projects from a pair of flat sides of the shaft 228 between the friction washers to increase the resistance to axial movement of the knob 230 offered by the springs 268 and 270 above that which would be offered in the absence of said pin.

Assuming now that the lock 210 is in its locked condition, said lock may be opened as follows: The rotatable operator or knob 230 is moved to an axial position in which the lug 260 of the sleeve 258 is out of alinement with the tumbler pins 246, for example to the position illustrated in Fig. 17. The detent 274 and sleeve notches 282 make it possible to set the knob 230 and sleeve 258 to any desired axial position by feel. As will appear, the person manipulating the lock must know the axial positions of the knob 230, for example that the position illustrated in Fig. 17, is the next to the innermost position of said knob as determined by the notches 282 and detent 274. The rotatable operator or knob 230 is then rotated at least one revolution thereby rotating the sleeves 254 and 258 to the same extent. Clockwise rotation is assumed although as will be apparent the lock could be opened by counter-clockwise rotation of the operator or knob 230. In no more than one revolution of the sleeve 254 its slot 256 will successively become alined with those tumbler pins 246 not already projecting into said slot. Upon alinement with said slot 256 the springs 248 of a tumbler pin 246 will move said pin radially inwardly so that it projects into said slot. When a tumbler pin 246 projects into the sleeve slot 256 its tumbler is drivably connected to said sleeve and the knob 230. Accordingly, in no more than one revolution of the knob 230 all the tumblers 241, 242 and 243 will become drivably connected to said knob. The knob 230 is then rotated until the detent 288 rides over the blank space 278. This is the starting position of the knob 230 from which the knob is manipulated to set the tumblers successively to their unlocked positions, that is to the tumbler positions in which their slots 244 are in alinement with the fence 240. The lock 210 is now in the condition illustrated in Fig. 17. v

The knob 230 is now manipulated so that the tumbler whose slot 244 is closest to the fence 240, as measured in a clockwise direction, is first alined with said fence then the tumbler whose slot 244 is next closest and so on. In the following description of the unlocking operation it is assumed that the slot 244 of the tumbler 241 is the closest to the fence 240, that the slot 244 of the tumbler 242 is next and that the slot 244 of the tumbler 243 is farthest removed from said fence.

From its said starting position, the knob or operator 230 is rotateed a first predetermined number of increments or steps, as measured by the detent 280 and notches 276, so as to aline the slot 244 of the tumbler 241 with the fence 240. The knob 230 is then pushed axially inwardly one step, as measured by the detent 274 and notch 282, thereby moving the lug 260 under the tumbler pin 246 of'said tumbler 241 and pushing said pin radially outwardly out of the sleeve slot 256 and into a groove 252 of the housing. This radially outward movement of the pin 246 of the tumbler 241 disconnects the driving connectionof said tumbler with the sleeve 254 and knob 230 and locks said tumbler to the lock housing. With the knob 230 in this axial position, it is rotated a second predetermined number of steps to bring the slot 244 of the tumbler 242 in alinement with the fence 240. During this second rotative setting of the knob 230, the slot 244 of the tumbler 241 remains in its set position because its pin 246 is now held outwardly in a housing groove 252 by the outer surface of the sleeve 254, the slot 256 of said sleeve moving out from alinement with said pin as soon as the knob has been rotated through but a small initial portion of its said second rotative setting. The knob .230 is now pulled axially outwardly two steps to bring the lug 260 under the pin 246 of the tumbler 242 thereby moving said pin radially outwardly out of the sleeve slot 256 and into a housing groove 252. This radially outward movement of the pin 246 of the tumbler 242 disconnects the driving connection of the tumbler 242 with the sleeve 254 and at the same time locks said tumbler in its set position with its slot 244 in alinement with the fence 240. With the knob 230 in this axial position it is rotated a third predetermined number of steps or increments to bring the slot 244 of the tumbler .243 in alinement with the fence 240. The initial portion of this third rotative setting of the knob 236 moves the sleeve slot 256 out from alinement with the pin 246 of the tumbler 242- whereby said pin remains in engagement with a housing groove 252 to hold its tumbler 242 in its set position. The knob 230 is now pulled axially outwardly so as to bring the lug 260 under the pin 246 of the tumbler 243 thereby raising said pin out of the slot 256 and into a housing groove 252. This radially outward movement of the pin 246 of the tumbler 243. drivably disconnects said tumbler from the sleeve 254 and knob 230 and locks said tumbler 243 in its set position to the lock housing. The knob 230 is then rotated one or two steps or increments merely to move the slot 256 out from under the pin 246 of the tumbler 243 whereby said pin is retained in its radially outward position by the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve 254. The knob 230 is now pushed axially all the way in thereby causing the shaft 228 to enter the crank disc hole 227 thereby drivably connecting the knob 230 to the crank disc 224 and thence through the link 226 to the latch bolt 220. R0- tation of the knob 230 is now effective to retract the latch bolt 220, the latch bolt tongue or fence 240 entering the alined slots 244 of the tumblers, thereby unlatching the door member 218.

In order to relock the door member 218, the door member is closed and the knob 230 is rotated counterclockwise to extend the latch bolt 220. The knob 230 is then pulled axially outward to a position, such as illustrated in Fig. 17, in which the rotative path of the lug 260 is out of alinement with any of the tumbler pins 246. The knob 230 is then rotated to scramble the tumblers whereupon the tumbler slots 244 are no longer alined with the fence 240 so that the latch bolt 220 can not be retracted.

The small circumferentially-spaced notches 250 are provided to help make the lock manipulation proof against one unfamiliar with the combination. Thus an unauthorized person in attempting to open the lock 210 might try to locate the tumbler slots 244 by feel by pushing the latch bolt 220 inwardly while rotating the tumblers by means of the knob 230. Thus the latch bolt 220 might be urged inwardly by a tool inserted between the door 218 and the frame 222. However, by providing the circumferentially-spaced notches 250 about each tumbler, the passage of a notch 250 under the latch bolt flange or fence 240 will give said unauthorized person the same feeling as the passage of a tumbler slot 244.

Each tumbler 241, 242 and 243 comprises a pair of rotatively adjustable parts for changing the angular spacing of its tumbler slot 244 and its tumbler pin 246 so as to change the lock combination. The details of a tumbler are best seen in Figs. 23-29, all of the tumblers having the same construction.

As illustrated, each tumbler comprises a flat annular plate 310 and annular backing member 312 having inner and outer flanges or rims 314 and 316 projecting toward the plate 310. The plate 310 is journaled on the inner flange 314 of the backing member and an annular ring 318 is disposed between the plate 310 and the backing member 312. The plate 310 and backing member 312 are provided with dimples 320 and 322 respectively; to hold the ring 318 in an intermediate position. The tumbler slot 244 is formed in the plate 310 while the tumbler pin 246 is carried by the backing member 312, said pin being slidably carried between the bottom of the backing member 312 and the ring 318. The tumbler pin 246 projects through the inner and outer flanges 314 and 316 and said pin has side flanges 324 which act as abutments and guides for each spring 248. As illustrated there are two springs 248 for each tumbler pin 246, said springs urging the tumbler pin radially inwardly.

The plate 310 has a pair of inturned ears 326 (Figs. 23, 25 and 19) which act as a guideway for a clutch member 328 slidably fitted between said plate and the ring 318 adjacent to the slot 244. The clutch member 328 has a pair of feet 330 which are selectively engageable in circumferentially-spaced notches 332 formed around the periphery of the outer rim 316 of the backing member 312. The notches 332 have the same angular spacing as that of the housing grooves 252. A spring 334 urges the clutch member 328 radially outwardly and said clutch member is provided with side projections 336 which engage the rim to limit radially outward movement of the clutch member when its feet 330 are in mesh with the notches 332. The clutch member 328 also has an arm 338 13 struck out therefrom and extending within a slot 340 formed in the plate 310. The plate 310 and backing member 312 are clutched against relative rotation by the clutch member 328 when the clutch arm 338 extends into the slot 340 of said plate and the clutch feet 330 are engaged in the notches 332 of said backing member.

The length of the clutch arm 338 is such that a space 342 (Fig. 24) is left between the end of said arm and the bottom of the slot 340 when the clutch member feet 330 are in mesh with the notches 332, as best seen in Fig. 23. With this construction the clutch member 328 can be disengaged by insertion of a pin 344, such as illustrated in Fig. 30, into the space 342 to raise the clutch member feet 330 out from engagement with the notches 332. For this purpose the end of the pin 344 is tapered as illustrated. When the clutch member 328 is thus disengaged, the tumbler backing member 312 can be rotated relative to its tumbler plate 310 whereupon when the pin 344 is withdrawn said plate and backing member will be clutched together in a different relative rotative position thereby changing the angular spacing of the associated tumbler slot 244 and pin 246. Any such change in the angular spacing of the pin 246 and slot 244 of one or more of the tumblers changes the combination of the lock. With the tumbler construction disclosed, the lock combination may be changed without removing the tumblers from the lock. For this purpose the lock housing is provided with a hole 346 (Figs. 17 and 30) on its inner side and having the same angular spacing from the fence 240 as each clutch member 328 has from its tumbler slot 244.

In order to change the lock combination, the lock 210 is unlocked as described and the latch bolt 220 is retracted and the door 218 is opened. After the door 218 is opened the latch bolt is again extended leaving the tumblers with their slots 244 alined with the fence 240, said tumblers being held in this position since their pins 246 are each projecting into a housing notch 252. With the tumblers in this position, the space 342 under the arm 338 of each tumbler clutch member 328 is in alinement with the hole 346 in the housingmember 212. Accordingly the pin 344 can be inserted through the hole 346 and thence under the arm 338 of each tumbler clutch member 328 thereby disconnecting each tumbler plate 310 from its backing member 312. The lock is now in the condition illustrated in Fig. 30. The knob 230 is then rotated to pick up the backing plates 312 of the tumblers, the tumbler pins now projecting into the slot 256. It should be noted that Fig. 30 is a section taken along line 3030 of Fig. 18 but with the tumbler gatings set in alinement with the fence 240.

If the door 218 is open and the tumblers are scrambled it is possible to place the lock in the condition of Fig. 30 without any knowledge of the old combination of the lock. The lock knob 230 is placed in an axial position, such as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 30, and the pin 344 is inserted through the hole 346. The knob 230 is then rotated thereby successively picking up and rotating the tumblers since their pins will snap into the sleeve slot 256 upon alinement with said slot. At the same time the tumblers are rotated the pin 344 is pushed against the tumbler 241 and upon alinement with the space 342 under its clutch member 328, said pin will enter said space and disconnect said clutch member by moving it radially inwardly. The pin 344 is now pushed against the next tumbler 242 and with continued rotation of the knob 230 said pin will become alined with and enter the space 342 under the clutch member 328 of the tumbler 242. With continued axial pressure on the pin 344 and rotation of the knob 230 the pin will also become alined with and enter under the clutch member 328 of the tumbler 243 thereby disconnecting each clutch member 328 and placing the lock in the condition of Fig. 30.

With the lock in the condition of Fig. 30, the plates 31%) of each tumbler are held against rotation by the pin 344 while the tumbler backing plate 312 of each tumbler remains drivably connected to the knob 230 through its tumbler pin 246. The knob 230 is now rotated to its starting position, that is to the position in which the dc tent 280 is in engagement with the blank space 278.

Assume now that the lock is to have a new combination of x, y and z where x, y and z represent the number of steps in each of the rotative adjustments of the knob 230 for setting the tumblers, said steps being measured by the detent 280 and notches 276. Obviously the sum of x, y and z must be less than this number of notches 276. Also assume that when the lock is to be opened the tumbler 242 is to be set first then the tumbler 241 and lastly the tumbler 243. As will be apparent, not only may the number of steps in each rotative adjustment of the knob 230 be changed, but the sequence in which the tumblers are set can be changed.

With the knob in said starting position it is rotated said x number of steps as measured by the detent 276, thereby moving all the tumbler backing plates 312 said x steps. The lock knob 230 is now moved axially to bring the lug 260 under the pin 246 of the tumbler 242 and raise said pin into a housing groove 252 thereby disconnecting its backing plate 312 from the knob 230 and locking said backing plate in its set position. The-knob 230 is now rotated said y number of stepsthereby rotating the backing plates 312 of the tumblers 241 and 243 said y steps. The knob 230 is now moved axially so as to bring the lug 260 under the pin 246 of the tumbler 241 thereby locking the backing plate 312 of said tumbler in said set position. The knob 230 is now rotated said 2 number of steps thereby rotating the backing plate of tumbler 243 said z steps. The pin 344 is now withdrawn whereupon each tumbler clutch member 328 is moved by its spring 334 so that its feet 330 re-engage with the notches 332 of its associated tumbler backing member 312. Accordingly the plate 310 and backing member 312 of each tumbler are now connected together in their new relative rotative positions for the new lock combination.

The composite construction of the tumblers 241, 242 and 243, whereby the combination of the lock 218 can readily be changed, is obviously not limited to use with said lock. For example the tumblers of the lock 10 or could have a similar composite construction permitting a quick change of their combinations.

While I have described my invention in detail in its present preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding my invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. I aim in the appended claims to cover all such modifications.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a combination-type lock; a manually rotatable member; a relatively fixed member, one of said members having a plurality of notches circumferentially-spaced about the axis of said rotatable member; a spring pressed detent carried by the other of said members and successively engageable with said notches upon rotationof said rotatable member so that the operator can feel engagement of said detent with said notches to determine the extent of said rotation, the angular spacing between each pair of adjacent notches being equal except for a different angular spacing between one pair of adjacent notches; fence means; a plurality of rotatable tumblers which together with said rotatable member are cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition they normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock; each of said tumblers and said rotatable member having a slot adapted to be alined with said fence means to permit movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock upon alinement of all of said slots with said fence means; and means providing driving connections between said tumblers and rotatable member such that in no more than one revolution of said rotatable member said rotatable member can first rotate the tumbler slots into alinement with said fence means and then rotate its slot into alinement with said fence means, the slot of said rotatable member being disposed in alinement with said fence means when said rotatable member is positioned so that said spring pressed detent is at least adjacent to said different angular notch spacing.

2. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the locks, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith of a plurality of members one for and slidably carried by each tumbler, each said slidable member having a first position in which said member drivably connects its associated tumbler to said manually rotatable member and having a second position in which it holds said tumbler against rotation.

3. In the combination recited in claim 2 and including means rotatable with said manually rotatable member and movable independently of any rotation of said manually rotatable member for selectively moving said slidable members from their first to their second positions.

4. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith of a plurality of members one for and slidably carried by each tumbler; spring means urging each of said slidable members to a first position in which said member drivably connects its associated tumbler to said manually rotatable member; and means rotatable with said manually rotatable member for selectively moving said slidable members against their respective spring means to second positions in which each slidable member holds its associated tumbler against rotation.

5. In the combination recited in claim 4 in which the means rotatable With said manually rotatable member comprises a plurality of button-like members one for each tumbler, each button-like member being depressible for moving the slidable member of its associated tumbler to its said second position.

6. In the combination recited in claim 4 in which the means rotatable with said manually rotatable member is axially movable by said member for selectively moving said slidable members to their respective second positions.

7. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of co-axial annular tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith of a plurality of members, one for and carried by each tumbler for radial sliding movement relative to said tumbler; spring means for each said slidable member for radially urging each said slidable members toward a first position in which said slidable member drivably connects its associated tumbler to said rotatable member; and means rotatable with and movable independently of any rotation of said rotatable member for selectively moving said slidable members radially against their respective spring means to second positions in which each slidable member holds its associated tumbler against rotation.

8. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith a plurality of members, one for and slidably carried by each tumbler; means drivably connected to said rotatable member for rotation therewith, said rotatable means having an annular surface disposed adjacent one end of said slidable members; spring means for urging each of said slidable members toward said annular surface and said surface having a recess for each slidable member for extension of said slidable member therein upon alignment with said recess to provide a driving connection between the associated tumbler and said rotatable means; relatively fixed means having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recesses disposed co-axial and adjacent to the path of rotation of the other end of each of said slidable members; and means rotatable with said rotatable means and movable independently of any rotation thereof for selectively moving said slidable members against their respective springs into said fixed member recesses for holding said tumblers against rotation.

9. In a combination-type lock as recited in claim 8 and including a member fixed relative to said rotatable member with one of said members having a plurality of notches circumferentially-spaced about the axis of said rotatable member and with the other of said members having a spring pressed detent successively engageable with said notches upon rotation of said rotatable member so that the operator can feel engagement of said detent with said notches to determine the extent of said rotation, the angular spacing of said notches being similar to the angular spacing of said circumferentially-spaced recesses except for the angular spacing of one pair of adjacent notches.

10. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith of a plurality of means, one for and connected to each tumbler, for drivably connecting said tumblers to said manually operable member; and a plurality of members, one for each tumbler, carried by said manually rotatable member and selectively operable for interrupting the driving connection of each tumbler with manually rotatable member.

11. In a combination-type lock as recited in claim 10 in which each of said plurality of members constitutes a button-like member normally projecting from said rotatable member and depressible for interrupting the driving connection of its associated tumbler with said rotatable member.

12. A combination-type lock having fence means; a plurality of rotatable tumblers; a manually rotatable member, said tumblers and member being cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers and member normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, each of said tumblers and said manually rotatable member having a slot adapted to be alined with said fence means to permit movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock upon alinement of all of said slots With said fence means; and mechanism providing a selectively operable driving connection between each of said tumblers and said manually rotatable member, said mechanism including means rotatable with said manually rotatable member and movable independently of any rotation of said manually rotatable member for selectively disconnecting said tumblers from said manually rotatable member such that said rotatable member, in no more than one revolution, can first rotate said tumbler slots into alinement with said fence means and then rotate its slot into alinement with said fence means.

13. In a combination-type lock having fence means, a plurality of tumblers cooperable with said fence means so that when said lock is in its locked condition said tumblers normally prevent movement of said fence means for unlocking said lock, said tumblers being rotatable to predetermined positions permitting movement of said fence means for unlocking the lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said tumblers; the combination therewith of mechanism providing a selectively operable driving connection between each of said tumblers and said manually rotatable member; said mechanism including a plurality of members one for and slidably carried by each tumbler, spring means urging each said slidable member to a position in which said slidable member drivable connects its associated tumbler to said manually rotatable member; and means rotatable with said manually rotatable member and movable independently of any rotation of said manually rotatable member for moving each of said slidable members relative to its associated tumbler for disconnecting said tumblers from said rotatable member in any desired sequence.

lock, and a manually rotatable member for rotating said.

tumblers; the combination therewith of a plurality of means one for and carried by each tumbler, each of said means having a first condition in which it drivably connects'its associated tumbler to said manually rotatable member and having a second condition in which it holds said tumbler against rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 167,008 Miller Aug. 24, 1875 300,868 Hill June 24, 1884 835,437 Katzenberger Nov. 6, 1906 897,228 Soley Aug. 25, 1908 1,370,830 Miller Mar. 8, 1921 1,596,670 Linlaud Aug. 17, 1926 

